# Ruddy Darter (*Sympetrum sanguineum*) The Ruddy Darter is a bright red dragonfly that loves to fly around ponds and lakes. They are fast and can often be seen darting through the air on sunny days. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Ruddy Darter](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/2014.07.16.-11-Woellnau_Winkelmuehle--Blutrote_Heidelibelle-Maennchen.jpg&width=800) Photo: Andreas Eichler, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2014.07.16.-11-Woellnau_Winkelmuehle--Blutrote_Heidelibelle-Maennchen.jpg) ## Appearance The Ruddy Darter has a vibrant, deep red body in males, while females are yellowish-brown. They feature clear wings with red veins in males and a distinctive, club-shaped abdomen, setting them apart from other darters. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Libellulidae - **Genus:** Sympetrum ## Interesting facts - A Ruddy Darter can catch over a hundred mosquitoes in just one hour! - Baby darters are fierce underwater hunters, even eating small fish! - Their huge eyes have tens of thousands of lenses, giving them incredible vision! - They can fly backwards and even upside down with ease! ## Special abilities - **Super Sight:** Ruddy Darter has nearly 360-degree vision with its enormous compound eyes that helps them spot tiny prey and predators. - **Aerial Acrobatics:** Ruddy Darter can hover, fly backward, and change direction instantly because of its independently moving wings. - **Nymph's Snapping Jaw:** Ruddy Darter nymphs have a hinged, extendable lower lip (labium) that helps them snatch aquatic prey in a flash. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 50-60 mm - **Size:** 35-45 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-60 days - **Flight Speed:** 25 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults feast on flying insects, while the young hunt in water. - **Age differences:** Nymphs hunt aquatic insects and larvae underwater, while adults catch flying insects in the air. - **Primary Foods:** Midges, Mosquitoes, Flies, Mayflies, Tadpoles, Small fish - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Plumed Midge (*Chironomus plumosus*) — as a key food source for adults - **Hunts:** Common House Mosquito (*Culex pipiens*) — reducing mosquito populations - **Eaten by:** Mallard (*Anas platyrhynchos*) — as prey by ducks near water - **Eaten by:** [Northern Pike](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-pike) (*Esox lucius*) — nymphs fall prey to fish ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Dragonflies are harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Ruddy Darter? Compare wing shape and resting posture, where the eyes sit, body markings and the tail segments. Males and females can look very different in color. Dragonfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Ruddy Darter's wingspan? 50-60 mm ### How big is Ruddy Darter? 35-45 mm ### How long does Ruddy Darter live? 30-60 days ### How fast can Ruddy Darter fly? 25 km/h ### What does Ruddy Darter eat? Adults feast on flying insects, while the young hunt in water. ### Where is Ruddy Darter usually found? Wetlands ### How does Ruddy Darter hunt? Pursuit ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Ruddy Darter: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ruddy-darter)